CEFOP opened exhibition that fuses art, science and technology

On Thursday October 9, at the Mural Lounge in the Regional Government Building, “SatelitArte” exposition was opened meeting three aspects of human creation: Art, Science and Technology. This traveling initiative is driven by the Center for Optics and Photonics, CEFOP, from Universidad de Concepción.

On Thursday October 9, at the Mural Lounge in the Regional Government Building, “SatelitArte” exposition was opened meeting three aspects of human creation: Art, Science and Technology. This traveling initiative is driven by the Center for Optics and Photonics, CEFOP, from Universidad de Concepción.

A unique exhibition, which meets together science and art to bring specially to young people, students and general community the knowledge about satellite technology. The show consists of 15 modules, with satellite images that explain to attendees, in a simple and didactic way, what the satellites are and what applications we can get from them. In addition, the modules contain reproductions of interventions made by national plastic artists from the same satellite images.

The inaugural event was attended by Government Ministry Regional Secretary, Enrique Inostroza, the Vice President for Research and Development of Universidad de Concepción, Bernabé Rivas and directors of CEFOP, Carlos Saavedra and Rolando Hernández, among other authorities from academia, public sector and politics.

The event was also attended by international guests, including representatives of the European company Airbus Defence and Space, giant space industry, and who were impressed with the originality of the sample. “It’s a very complete exhibition and its mix both perspectives, science and art, is perfect, because science is also to share. In France, we have a space agency 50 years ago and regular exhibitions long, therefore, satellite images are very familiar to the people”, said Josian Fabrega, Sales Director for Latin America at Airbus.

The central objective of SatelitArte project is to bring to the public the use of satellite technology in various fields, from zoning to environmental protection and research, under the possibility to observe different phenomena from sky.

CEFOP director in charge of this initiative, Dr. Rolando Hernández, believes samples as SatelitArte also show the value of technology development for our country and the importance of managing human capital of excellence. In this regard, the authorities invited to the inauguration highlighted the importance of centers like CEFOP, which leads in matters of scientific research, and technology development and transfer. “In space sector, the Center wants to do things of great scientific impact, international quality, and we have sought national relevance. This includes creating products that will specifically work for the country, such as processed satellite images” Dr. Hernandez said.

The project was also valued by students, who were in the audience and further evaluate this technology area as a future career. “There are normal careers one could choose, but also found other careers related to satellites, which can be much more interesting. One is in school wondering, what am I going to do, but there are thousands of other possibilities that you do not know yet” said Katherine Varela, student of 3rd year middle A, from Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Concepción.